Phase II of South Mumbai to Ghatkopar Freeway to be ready in February

The second phase of the Eastern Freeway project connecting south Mumbai to Ghatkopar will be ready in February 2014. However, construction of the second tunnel near Panjarpol will be over by this month. The phase between Panjarpol and Ghatkopar was scheduled for completion in October.

Chief Engineer of MMRDA Sharad Sabnis said, “Girders are being launched at the Ghatkopar end of the Freeway. The activity should come to an end soon.”

Earlier this year, it was planned that MMRDA would carry out girder launching during monsoon. “It was risky and difficult to carry out work during monsoon. So, we decided to do it after the monsoon got over,” added Sabnis.

Besides, the second tunnel is headed for completion as per schedule in December. This is India’s first urban twin tunnel.

Construction work on the project began in January 2008. At the time of commencement of construction, the Eastern Freeway project’s (16.8km-long Orange Gate to Ghatkopar) estimated price was Rs847.02 crore. However, it now stands at Rs1,265.4 crore.